Jawans and people representing different communities donated blood on January 7 to celebrate the silver jubilee of the Udalguri-based 315 Field Regiment of the Red Horns Division.

Inspired by messages that read “Do not shed blood, Donate blood” and “Don’t take lives but save lives”, the Bodos, Gorkhas, Adivasis, Rabhas and Koch Rajbongshis participated in the blood donation.

Blood collected during the event was sent to different hospitals across Assam. A 10-day National Integration Tour to Jammu and Kashmir under Operation Sadbhavana by students from all communities of Udalguri was flagged off to mark the occasion.

Raised in 1985, the 315 Field Regiment is a highly decorated unit of the army which has the distinction of firing more than 30,000 artillery shells during the Kargil War. Col Yogesh Chaudhary, the commanding officer, paid rich tributes to the martyrs of the field regiment and assured the people of Assam of the army’s cooperation in mitigating their problems.

A cultural function was also held during the day marked by colourful Bihu, Adivasi, Nepali and Bodo dances.

Sandhya Krishnan (right) visits the tailoring unit

Welcome

Inspector-general, Assam Rifles (South), Maj. Gen. C.A. Krishnan, was given a rousing welcome by the Tangkhul tribe on his recent visit to Headquarters 10 Sector Assam Rifles at Somsai in Manipur’s Ukhrul district. He later interacted with the officers and dignitaries of Ukhrul town.

Thanking the administration for its cooperation, Gen. Krishnan appreciated the efforts of HQ 10 Sector and all its units in maintaining normality in Ukhrul district under the most trying circumstances. He appreciated the friendship between troops and the local people.

Sandhya Krishnan, the president of the Assam Rifles Wives’ Welfare association, HQ IGAR (South) inaugurated the tailoring and knitting facilities at the vocational training centre for Women at Ukhrul run by the 17 Assam Rifles that have sewing and embroidery machines, knitting machines, computer sets and furniture.

Capital tour

Sixteen young boys and girls from Tirap district of Arunachal Pradesh set off for Delhi and Agra on January 6 as part of an 11-day National Integration Tour sponsored by the 19 Assam Rifles.

Their parents and teachers interacted with the commandant of the 19 Assam Rifles, Col Naveen, and other officers of the unit and thanked them for organising the tour.

These children have never visited any place beyond Assam. Their beaming faces were proof enough of their delight.